New GA Rule Every Landlord Should Know
Georgia landlordsâespecially investors and self-managersâneed to pay attention to these changes: 1ď¸âŁ Out-of-State Owner Requirement (HB 399)Starting July 1, 2025, out-of-state owners of single-family homes or duplexes must have a Georgia-licensed local representative.đ The goal: faster maintenance response & better tenant access. 2ď¸âŁ âSafe at Home Actâ â Habitability Is MandatoryLandlords must provide housing that is fit for human habitation from day one.â Working plumbing, electric, HVACâ No health or safety hazardsâ Repairs affecting safety must be handled promptlyâ ď¸ Tenants can now sue for unfit housing. 3ď¸âŁ Security Deposit Limitsâ Statewide cap: no more than 2 monthsâ rentâ Some Atlanta areas may cap at 1.5 monthsâ rentâ Includes total deposits (pet + security) 4ď¸âŁ Eviction Timeline Changesâ 3 business daysâ written notice required before filing for nonpaymentâ Tenants now have 10 business days to respond (previously 7) 5ď¸âŁ Stronger Ban on âSelf-Helpâ Evictionsâ Lockouts, water shutoffs, AND cooling/AC shutoffs are illegalâ Violations can result in serious penalties â
Quick Compliance Check - Out-of-state owner? Confirm local GA representation - Review deposit amounts - Update eviction notices - Document repairs & habitability standards đ Comment CHECKLIST if you want a simple GA compliance guide.